The board game banned by the Queen revealed as Royal Family’s competitive spirit saw them turn ‘vicious’

The Queen has reportedly ‘banned’ one of the most popular board games at home in her magnificent palaces after previous games with the Royal Family turned “vicious”.  

• Her Majesty and the Royal Family have many Christmas traditions, but it seems one popular game choice for family gatherings isn’t one of them.  
• It’s been suggested that the royals aren’t “allowed” to play Monopoly as it brings out their ultra-competitive side.  
• This royal news comes as Prince Charles alerts lawyers as he's accused of being 'royal racist' who questioned Archie’s skin color. 

The Queen and the Royal Family might have many long-held traditions, but when it comes to family gatherings, it seems there’s one board game that is simply “not allowed” in her royal residences. This particular game is a popular choice for many families around the world, though it tends to bring out players’ competitive spirit. And it certainly seems to do so for the Queen’s children, grandchildren and other relatives. Their past “vicious” games are suggested to have led to the Queen banning it entirely to avoid a recurrence of this behavior. 

As reported by The Telegraph back in 2008, Prince Andrew explained that it’s classic economics-themed board game, Monopoly, that isn’t likely to be on the Queen’s activity list any time soon. 

During a visit to Leeds Building Society's refurbished Albion Street headquarters that December, the Duke of York, who was back then still a working member of the Royal Family, was presented with Monopoly as a gift. 

Though it was a thoughtful choice to mark his visit, Prince Andrew then went on to reveal that it sadly wouldn’t be one he and his relatives would be able to put to good use that festive season or any of the days after. 

“We're not allowed to play Monopoly at home,” he reportedly shared. “It gets too vicious."

Whilst Monopoly might not be on the cards, it’s not clear just what family games the royal play instead when they all gather at Sandringham for the festive season.

Though many of the Queen’s great-grandchildren are expected to be invited to celebrate with her in Norfolk this year, so some games could potentially be played on the big day, at least to entertain the little ones.

This Christmas will mark the monarch’s first since she lost her beloved “strength and stay”, the Duke of Edinburgh, in April. The Queen and Prince Philip were married for 73 years and she’s said to be “looking forward” to hosting Christmas again for her wider family this year. In 2020, she and Prince Philip celebrated “quietly” at Windsor Castle due to the pandemic.

This the Queen will no doubt be comforted by the support of her loved ones at Christmas as she reflects on memories of past celebrations with her beloved late husband. One of the best real Christmas trees has already been put up at her Berkshire home ahead of December 1st, though the Queen’s Christmas tree has confused fans a little with its extensive decorations. 

And with the festive season almost upon us, it also won’t be long before fans will get to hear the Queen’s Christmas speech 2021 as she reflects on what has come and provides her hopes for the year ahead.